Following a recent change in slot allocation rules, Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD, São Paulo Viracopos) has secured an additional 43 daily slots at São Paulo Congonhas allowing it to double its operations at the airport from late March 2023.
The airline said in a press release that as of the Summer 2023 season, it would hold 84 daily slots at Congonhas which it will use to launch an entirely new route to Brasília Juscelino Kubitschek International, revive services to Porto Alegre International and Curitiba International, and increase frequencies to Recife, Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves, and Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont.
"Expanding Azul's presence in Congonhas was an old desire of the company. We already operate a third of the flights in the country, and we have more than 300 routes serving all of Brazil. The expansion of our network in Congonhas will also expand Azul's presence throughout the country and connect every corner of Brazil with CGH", Chief Executive John Rodgerson said.
The ch-aviation capacities module shows that Azul currently has a meagre 6.4% market share by scheduled departure capacity out of Congonhas, trailing far behind GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes (48.2%) and LATAM Airlines Brasil (43.7%). The only other operator serving the congested airport is VoePass Linhas Aéreas, which utilises slots acquired through the takeover of MAP Linhas Aéreas. VoePass is currently in talks about the sale of MAP and its Congonhas slots to GOL.
